Prescription charges can quickly add up, but some people are entitled to free NHS prescriptions
Prescription charges can significantly bump up your monthly expenses, particularly if you’re on multiple medications. While some treatments are free, others cost £9.90 per item, meaning someone on just three treatments will have to shell out £29.70 each time they need a refill.
However, it may come as a shock that some Brits are automatically entitled to free prescriptions when using the UK’s health service. Even if you aren’t eligible, there are other discounts and more affordable prepayment options available in certain situations as well.
The Mirror has delved into the various avenues offered by the NHS to people across the nation. Those who think they qualify can also use the service’s online checker to explore their options further.
Who is entitled to free NHS prescriptions?
Contraceptives and medication given to hospital inpatients are among the prescriptions that are always free for NHS users. However, certain groups consistently qualify for free NHS prescriptions no matter what medication they receive.
The NHS Business Services Authority states that this encompasses anyone under 16, people aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, and pensioners over 60. In addition, those claiming certain benefits may also be eligible for free prescriptions, including the following:
- Anyone receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Anyone receiving Income Support
- Anyone receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Anyone receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit with Savings Credit
- Anyone receiving income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
The authority confirms that partners and children under 20 listed in these awards can also receive free NHS prescriptions. Nonetheless, people on contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance are not automatically entitled to free prescriptions.
“If you’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions because you claim Universal Credit and your take-home pay is under the limit, tick box ‘U’ on the prescription form,” the authority’s guidance adds. “Not all prescription forms have a tick box for Universal Credit. If that’s the case you should tick box ‘K’ for income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance instead.”
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Certain other groups might also be eligible for exemption certificates in specific cases, enabling them to get free NHS prescriptions:
- People with specific medical conditions may be granted a medical exemption certificate
- People on a low income (including students and pensioners) may be granted a HC2 certificate
- People who receive War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments may be granted a war pension exemption certificate and your prescription is for your accepted disability
- Pregnant women or those who have had a baby in the last 12 months may be granted a maternity exemption certificate
The authority adds: “It’s your own responsibility to check that you’re entitled before claiming free prescriptions. If you claim free prescriptions that you’re not entitled to, you could have to pay a penalty charge of up to £100.”
So, who can cut costs on prescriptions?
Even if you don’t automatically qualify for complimentary NHS prescriptions, there are various other ways to slash your medication expenses. One such approach is the Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC), which covers all prescriptions at a set price.
This choice proves especially valuable if you need more than three items in three months or 11 items in 12 months. Whilst a single prescription charge in England stands at £9.90, a PPC will set you back £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for 12 months.
To put this in context, the NHS states that obtaining three medications each month for 12 months under a PPC can save ‘more than £241’ per year. The authority adds: “If you get prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you may save more with the Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescription Prepayment Certificate (HRT PPC). Before buying a PPC, check if you’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions and other help with health costs using our eligibility checker.”
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Some Brits might find the NHS Low Income Scheme a beneficial alternative. This scheme doesn’t just assist with prescriptions but also helps with other essential costs such as dental treatment, eye tests, wigs, and travel expenses for NHS treatment.
The amount you’re eligible to receive primarily depends on your weekly income, savings, and necessary expenses at the time of application. You can only apply online if you have no capital or savings exceeding £6,000, and must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Receiving state benefits
- Living in a care home
- A pensioner
- A student
- Earning a wage
According to the Express, the authority adds: “If the amount you have left is low, you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner, if you have one.
“If you have already paid for treatment, you can apply for a refund at the same time as you apply for the scheme. We will normally assess your application within 18 working days from the date we get your form.”
For more details on the support available, visit the NHS Business Services Authority website here.